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Also clothes! I keep at least one item from my pre-surgery days, and a selection of other items that I as I am able to fit into them. When I feel that nothing is changing, I line them up, and have a look at the difference. It gives me encouragement, seeing clear evidence that my body is truly changing! I also have certain "wish" outfits, that are still too small, but every couple of weeks I try them on anyway, and I can see that I am getting closer to having them fit, and that also gives me encouragement

First of all, congratulations on your decision to change your life and on your wonderful weight loss! I can empathize 110% as I wrote almost an identical post around the three week mark. I was so frantic that this wasn't going to work for me, and it would fail like so many attempts to lose weight before. The weight wasn't coming off and I was angry and depressed. This group answered in much the same way, and it helped me through a difficult time. It is frustrating as hell, because you are making sacrifices and following the guidelines but it feels like it's not working. The truth is, though, that it IS working and the amount of weight you lost is truly something to be happy about. It is also very true that even though you may feel good, your body is not fully healed inside until 6 to 8 weeks post-surgery, at least. That means inflammation, even though you don't see it. So, the scale will not be accurate for a while. As frustrating as it is, stay the course, keep following your doctor's recommendations, WALK as much as you can, and hide the scale! I obsessively weighed myself every day, and had to hide my scale to force myself to weight only once a week, at the same time of day. Also, use your measuring tape, as you might not see a loss in weight, but you may see a loss in inches. Finally, have patience. That is the hardest thing for me, as I just want to lose all the weight at once. Realistically, though, I know that won't happen, and it is a gradual process. Six months from now, you will look in the mirror and see a different person--promise!

Me too! But my bari-team assures me that is perfectly normal, and the average weight loss post surgery is about 10 lbs a month.

I am 57 yrs old and 5 weeks post op and have just started soft foods. I am finding that lately, I am very fatigued. I sleep well at night, eat my proteins, drink my water, take my vitamins, and so forth, but I still get extremely tired even though I am not doing much more than walking. Has anybody else had this experience? Any ideas about how to relieve the fatigue and boost my energy? Thanks!

Wow! It sounds like you have been through Hell, and I can't blame you for regretting the surgery if you're going through all that! Has your doctor recommended any more tests to make sure that all is well, and there is not another issue going on in your tummy? Maybe a swallow study or CT scan? If not, maybe you should seek another opinion, as it is very rare to not be able to tolerate anything at your stage. My Bari-team also sent me home with prescription Prilosec and antacid tablets to ease stomach acid and help me tolerate foods better. Were you given anything like that? If you are not getting enough liquids you're obviously going to be dehydrated, and that is not a good thing at all. I don't blame you for being wary of the hospital, but you can't continue in a dehydrated state. The idea of having a home health care nurse come in sounds like a good compromise and you might want to look into it. In either event, you can't go on being dehydrated like that and not being able to eat or drink anything. Has it been like this since your surgery 7 months ago?? I really think you need to pursue it further with your doctor to get some answers as to why this is happening. Sending thoughts and prayers your way!

OMG, YES! I can relate 110% After surgery I was literally getting on the scale every time I went in the Bathroom, and I was driving myself crazy obsessing about the fluctuations--same thoughts--"what if" this effort failed like every one I've tried before. Upon the advice and encouragement of many on this forum, I finally had to hide the scale, and force myself to weigh only once a week. I am now terrified every Thursday morning. Measurements help, as well as trying on old clothes, the latter of which is clear evidence that my body is, indeed, changing, even on those days when I don't feel any different. Today, in a burst of optimism, I cleaned out my closet, getting rid of the clothes that are now too big, and making room for the new ones I will soon be buying. That does a lot to relieve the anxiety and boost my mental mood. Give it a try

So sorry to hear that. I can't imagine how disappointed you must be. Hang in there, though, and hopefully you will resume your journey soon!

Have you spoken to your doctor? Your chest might be achy from the intubation during surgery. If it hurts right under your ribs, that is where they were doing the surgery, so that is very normal. However, if the discomfort is in your lungs and you feel so uncomfortable that it is waking you up, you might mention it to your doctor or bariatric team. My doctor sent me home with a spirometer to make sure I was taking lots of deep breaths to ward off pneumonia. At two weeks, I was also allowed to take some Tylenol to help with any aches and pains. Good luck and I hope you feel better!!!

Hi Tilena, I am 5 weeks post surgery. I am not going to lie to you. The post op diet is a challenge. The first few day is clear liquid, then you graduate to full liquids, then to pureed foods, then to soft foods, and finally to regular diet. At first , if you're like me, the biggest challenge will be eating at all, b/c you won't feel like it after the surgery. However, after a week or so, my hunger--both physical and head hunger--returned full force, and I wanted to eat "normal" food, but my stomach wasn't ready, i.e. done healing. The good news is, you will fill up very fast, so even on the full liquid phase, your cravings kind of go away once you are filled up with soup, or whatever. Once you reach puree foods, I think it gets a lot easier, because you have more freedom in what to eat. It's important to remember, though, that even after you reach the milestone of "normal" diet, it is a NEW normal. I know that I cannot go back to eating the way I used to, consuming a high carb diet with plenty of sweets. For some people, their tastes change, and they don't really want the sweets and high carb meals. For me, though, I still crave sweets, if just in my head, and it will be a challenge as it has always been for me. This time, though, I know that if I stick with my healthy eating plan, it will result in weight loss (unlike the dozens of diets I've tried before). In other words, the work will finally yield results. My doctor routinely emphasizes that gastric sleeve surgery is not a magic bullet--it is a tool to use toward effective weight loss. However, the effectiveness of that tool depends on how I use it, that is, whether or not I make wise food choices. A hammer won't work unless you swing it the right way, and that takes some effort. Good luck!!! Let us know how you make out!

I dipped into the peanut butter my first week post op--just licked on a teaspoon to satisfy a desire to have something with substance. Later I confessed to my bari team, and they said to avoid it because of the fat and calorie content for a serving to give me any measurable protein. But they also said a teaspoon is not a deal-buster and if it keeps me sane to have that taste, keep it small, no more than a teaspoon, once in a while as a treat.

Can someone please tell me how it is physically possible to consume less than 600 calories a day, consume 75 plus grams of protein every day, drink 64 oz of fluid every day and actually GAIN a pound instead of lose??? I am 13 days post-op and already remarkably frustrated by the lack of progress. I've lost a meager 8 lbs since surgery (which is a spit in the ocean for me), am still on full liquids and so very, very upset and even embarrassed by the lack of movement of the scale. Am I going to be "the one" for whom this doesn't work despite my best efforts? Did I do all this for nothing??? I can't even begin to tell you how discouraged I am WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING???

Thank you everybody! My scale is now under my bed and will only come out for a visit once a month. My doctor said to expect weight loss of about 10 lbs a month but to focus more on inches than the numbers on the scale. He also reminded me that although I feel good, there is still a lot of healing going on. Just like the incisions on the outside are not yet healed, so too the incisions on the inside are still healing with residual swelling, etc. I've started puree foods and feel much more human now, without the radical mood swings I was experiencing, being on liquids for nearly a month straight (pre and post surgery). Yesterday, I tried on shirt that was way too small prior to my surgery, and lo and behold, it fit perfectly! That provided the mental boost I was looking for! I appreciate all your kind, patient and honest input and advise--you guys ROCK!

I don't know. I agree with everything you are all saying. I was so encouraged 2 weeks prior to surgery, when I was on a liquid diet and I quickly dropped 14 lbs. So I guess I expected more of a dramatic change after surgery. Now I just can't shake the sinking feeling that it's not going to work. No matter what I do or how hard I try, it won't work. That's been my experience for 57 years of dieting and mentally, I just can't get over that hurdle of believing it will work. My heads in a really bad place right now.

I give a F@#K. Yes I am doing this for myself. I'm also doing it for my family. And I still care what people think. We are social beings and like to be acknowledged for our accomplishments. I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way.

Yes, I agree how frustrating it can be when people don't acknowledge your accomplishments. But I agree that when someone has such a drastic weight loss, some people might assume it's due to an illness, and are simply afraid to ask ("Hey, Mary--you lost weight--you look great!" "Oh thanks, Sue--chemotherapy will do that, you know!")

I am about to start puree on Friday (2/6). I'm looking for recipes. Anybody have any they'd like to share?

Oh and you likely never will. We can never replace the fur babies we lose, We can only fill the empty spot with love for another. At least, that's what I've found...there are many out there, waiting for love!

I am 10 days post-op. I am working hard at getting in my fluids and protein. Yesterday, I counted up my calorie intake out of curiosity and found that, with 64 oz of fluid and 75 g. of protein, I was only taking in 600 calories. Is that normal? Won't my metabolism switch into "starvation mode" and stall my weight loss? In fact, I have not lost anything appreciable in 3 days, so now I'm worried that this, like so many efforts before, will fail. Yes--lol--I've been burned by dieting many times so I have an incredible fear of failure in this regard. Should calories matter? I am setting myself up for another let down?

Sure thing! LOVE to show off my fur babies. Daisy (the gray) her and her brother Duke (as kittens) and Duke with his pal Nugget You're kitty is quite beautiful as well!

Just had my surgery 10 days ago! I was very excited, but very nervous too--even thought about backing out a couple of times as the day drew near! Honestly, the first day after surgery was the worst, not because of pain, but because they kept trying to get me to drink fluids, and I just didn't want to. I had some nausea, but no unbearable pain--it was more like an achy discomfort, like when you have a tummy ache. The doctors were great with intravenous pain medication so if I got too achy they gave me this very cool stuff that made me feel oh, so nice, and put me right to sleep...lol I was sent home the day after my surgery with pain pills, but never needed to take them--a couple of Tylenol did the trick for any residual soreness. Really, by day 4 I felt completely normal, as if nothing had been done at all! Just get ready to enjoy a few days of pampering, and a reason to get some extra sleep. Aside from feeling a little groggy from the anesthesia, you will be fine in a day or two and ready to begin your journey to freedom!

Good for you! It is so hard, but so worth it, and you are right, temptation will come regardless. Most of my eating habits are based on "head hunger." It sounds like you have the determination to get through it, though, and that's what will make you a success no matter what "cookies" life throws at you. I just keep reminding myself why I am doing it. I leave sticky notes all over my kitchen to remind me when I am faced with temptations. Does anybody at work know the reason for the surgery? If so, maybe they can offer some encouragement, especially during the clear liquids phase, which is really the hardest. It amazes me how different doctors are. My doc won't even let me drive until 2 weeks post op. I don't think I would have had the mental or physical stamina to go back to work after a week. so kudos to you! I was only on clear liquids for 3 days, then onto "full" liquids (cream soups and such). At my two week mark, I'll move on to puree. Good luck and stay strong!

Actually, I'm kinda looking forward to that! Right now, when I see people I know, they expect to see some huge change, and I'm not quite there yet--only 10 days post surgery. I've lost some weight, but not enough to notice. I am looking forward to people checking out my new look, and noticing the new me, especially this summer Take it as a compliment--they are amazed by how great you look--and you do look GREAT!

What on earth are you doing back to work 1 week post-op? My bariatric team would not even consider anything less than 4 weeks out. The reason? Not only the physical healing (you have just had a MAJOR change to your internal structure) but also for the very reason you are now faced with--mental preparedness. Whatever you do, do not give in to the temptation of eating solid food. You will seriously endanger your health with a risk of leakage along the staple line, not to mention the discomfort caused by a tummy not yet ready to deal with the stresses of solid food. Is there any way for you to take another week or two off? Disability? FMLA? You really need more time to heal, mentally and physically.

I am a 57 yr. old woman and was 250 lbs, 5'4". I had my gastric sleeve surgery on 2/21/20 and things went very smoothly. I was on a 2 week pre-op liquid diet and lost 14 lbs preoperatively. The first 3 days after surgery, when I was on clear liquids, I dropped another 6 lbs. But the needle on the scale has stopped since I started Full Liquids (3rd day of full liquids). Now I'm terrified that once I start pureed foods and move up from there, my weight will also move up instead of down.. Has anybody had any experience with this? I'm very worried that, based on past experience, no matter how much effort I put in, it just won't work. Am I expecting too much too soon?

Thanks guys! Yes, I do tend to obsess over the scale. I guess I've been burned so many times by diets that failed that I'm worried this will just be another disappointment. I will tuck it under my bed and forget it is there for a while! Out of sight, out of mind, right? It is very encouraging to have found a forum like this and to connect with people who have been where I am right now! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!